SUMA's agitation technology, showcased at the Renewable Gas Exhibition by Protech Continental, is designed to maintain a homogeneous mixture in digesters operating with significant changes in the quantity and composition of substrates. A recent project in Germany demonstrates its performance with feed rates ranging from 35 to 80 tons per day.
The variability of raw materials is one of the aspects that determine the design and operation of a biogas plant. Changes in the amount of feed, in the proportion between slurry, manure, and other organic materials, or in the dry matter content modify the mixing conditions within the digester and require agitation systems capable of maintaining stable operation.
SUMA Rührtechnik recently demonstrated the application of its Z-MIX technology at a biogas plant near Krefeld, Germany, which adjusts the digester feed daily to meet its production needs. The facility processes between 35 and 80 tons of substrates per day , combining slurry, manure, and crop residues primarily from potato and onion cultivation.
The agitation system has been sized to maintain the homogeneity of the digester contents in the face of these variations and, at the same time, to accommodate future changes in the characteristics of the mixture.
Agitation for large volume digesters
The digester is 20 meters high, 18 meters in diameter, and has a maximum capacity of 4.489 m³ . To define the configuration of the Z-MIX central agitator, SUMA used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, which analyze the behavior of the flows within the tank before selecting and sizing the equipment.
The blade geometry is designed to generate vertical circulation of the mixture and mobilize the digester's contents uniformly. According to data published by the company, sensors installed at different heights record a homogeneous temperature distribution, a relevant indicator for monitoring the mixture's behavior.
The installed agitator has a power output of 30 kW , operates via a frequency inverter, and runs continuously at 14 revolutions per minute . The range is designed for large-volume digesters, and SUMA offers configurations for tanks up to approximately 10.000 m³.
Prepared to work with more demanding mixtures
The system has been sized taking into account the anticipated evolution of the plant, which will increase the proportion of manure in the feed and raise the dry matter content from approximately 8% to 10% . The selection of power, materials, and components thus ensures adequate agitation conditions even with more demanding mixtures.
SUMA also highlights the accessibility from the outside to the drive, bearings and sealing system, a configuration designed to facilitate inspection and maintenance tasks.
The brand will be represented by Protech Continental Group , distributor of SUMA's agitation equipment for the biogas sector since 2015, which will be exhibiting in Hall 2, Stand 263.
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